Accident notifications

ABSTRACT

A method comprising receiving sensor information from at least one sensor, determining that a vehicle was involved in an accident based, at least in part, on the sensor information, determining that an informative notification criteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident, sending an informative notification in response to the determination that the informative notification criteria is satisfied, determining whether a remedial request criteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and the sensor information, in circumstances where the remedial request criteria is satisfied, sending a remedial request based, at least in part, on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria, and in circumstances where the remedial request criteria fails to be satisfied, precluding sending of the remedial request based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of the remedial request criteria is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation under 37 C.F.R. § 1.53(b) and 35U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/827,008 filed Aug.14, 2015 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to sending information from avehicle involved in an accident.

BACKGROUND

Autonomous vehicles are increasingly being utilized to transport goods,survey geographical features and roads, and/or the like. In somecircumstances, autonomous vehicles may interact with other vehicles,people, and/or the like. As such, it may be desirable to allow anautonomous vehicle to interact with other vehicles, people, apparatuses,and/or the like in a safe and efficient manner.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of example embodiments are set out in the summary, thedrawings, the detailed description, and the claims.

One or more example embodiments may provide an apparatus, a computerreadable medium, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computerprogram product, and/or a method for receiving sensor information fromat least one sensor, determining that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information, determiningthat an informative notification criteria is satisfied based, at leastin part, on the accident, sending an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied, determining whether a remedial request criteria issatisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and the sensorinformation, in circumstances where the remedial request criteria issatisfied, sending a remedial request based, at least in part, on thesatisfaction of the remedial request criteria, and in circumstanceswhere the remedial request criteria fails to be satisfied, precludingsending of the remedial request based, at least in part, on the failureof satisfaction of the remedial request criteria.

One or more example embodiments may provide an apparatus, a computerreadable medium, a computer program product, and/or a non-transitorycomputer readable medium having means for receiving sensor informationfrom at least one sensor, means for determining that a vehicle wasinvolved in an accident based, at least in part, on the sensorinformation, means for determining that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident, meansfor sending an informative notification in response to the determinationthat the informative notification criteria is satisfied, means fordetermining whether a remedial request criteria is satisfied based, atleast in part, on the accident and the sensor information, incircumstances where the remedial request criteria is satisfied, meansfor sending a remedial request based, at least in part, on thesatisfaction of the remedial request criteria, and in circumstanceswhere the remedial request criteria fails to be satisfied, means forprecluding sending of the remedial request based, at least in part, onthe failure of satisfaction of the remedial request criteria.

One or more example embodiments further determine whether anotherremedial request criteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on theaccident and the sensor information, in circumstances where the otherremedial request criteria is satisfied, send another remedial requestbased, at least in part, on the satisfaction of the other remedialrequest criteria, and in circumstances where the other remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, preclude sending of the other remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theother remedial request criteria.

One or more example embodiments further determine that anotherinformative notification criteria is satisfied based, at least in part,on the accident, and send another informative notification in responseto the determination that the other informative notification criteria issatisfied.

One or more example embodiments further determine that the vehicle failsto be occupied.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination that theinformative notification criteria is satisfied is based, at least inpart, on the determination that the vehicle fails to be occupied.

In at least one example embodiment, the sending of the informativenotification is based, at least in part, on the determination that thevehicle fails to be occupied.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of whether theremedial request criteria is satisfied is based, at least in part, onthe determination that the vehicle fails to be occupied.

In at least one example embodiment, the sending of the remedial requestis based, at least in part, on the determination that the vehicle failsto be occupied.

One or more example embodiments further receive additional sensorinformation from at least one sensor, wherein the determination that thevehicle fails to be occupied is based, at least in part, on theadditional sensor information.

In at least one example embodiment, the additional sensor information isreceived from at least one occupancy sensor.

In at least one example embodiment, the sensor is comprised by thevehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the sensor information is receivedfrom a separate vehicle.

One or more example embodiments further receive other sensor informationfrom at least one sensor.

In at least one example embodiment, the satisfaction of the informativenotification criteria is based, at least in part, on the other sensorinformation.

In at least one example embodiment, the satisfaction of the remedialrequest criteria is based, at least in part, on the other sensorinformation.

In at least one example embodiment, the remedial request criteria is anemergency assistance request criteria, and the remedial request is anemergency assistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the emergency assistance requestcriteria is a police assistance criteria, and the emergency assistancerequest is a police assistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the emergency assistance requestcriteria is a medical assistance criteria, and the emergency assistancerequest is a medical assistance request.

One or more example embodiments further determine a type of objectinvolved in the accident, wherein the satisfaction of the medicalassistance criteria is based, at least in part, on the type of objectinvolved in the accident.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination of the type ofobject involved in the accident comprises receipt of other sensorinformation that represents the environment surround the vehicle at atime prior to the accident, and identification of the type of objectinvolved in the accident based, at least in part, on the other sensorinformation.

In at least one example embodiment, the other sensor information isimage information, and the identification of the type of object involvedin the accident is based, at least in part, on the image information.

In at least one example embodiment, the emergency assistance requestcriteria is a fire assistance criteria, and the emergency assistancerequest is a fire assistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the remedial request criteria is asite remedy assistance criteria, and the remedial request is a siteremedy assistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the site remedy assistance criteriais a tow assistance criteria, and the site remedy request is a towassistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the tow assistance criteriaindicates a value associated with at least one of a tire pressuresensor, an oil sensor, a fuel sensor, a battery sensor, or anoperational state of the vehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the site remedy assistance criteriais a clean-up assistance criteria, and the site remedy request is aclean-up assistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the clean-up assistance criteriaindicates a value associated with at least one of a tire pressuresensor, an oil sensor, a fuel sensor, a battery sensor, a glass breaksensor, or an operational state of the vehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the site remedy assistance criteriais a roadside service assistance criteria, and the site remedy requestis a roadside service assistance request.

In at least one example embodiment, the roadside service assistancecriteria indicates a value associated with at least one of a tirepressure sensor, an oil sensor, a fuel sensor, a battery sensor, or anoperational state of the vehicle.

One or more example embodiments further determine that a tow assistancerequest fails to have been sent, wherein the sending of the roadsideservice assistance request is based, at least in part, on thedetermination that the tow assistance request fails to have been sent.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is anowner informative notification.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is aninsurance informative notification.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is aproperty owner informative notification.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is aservice provider informative notification.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification failsto be a remedial request.

One or more example embodiments further determine a location of thevehicle, and determine that the vehicle is located at a dangerouslocation based, at least in part, on the location of the vehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the determination that the vehicleis located at a dangerous location is further based, at least in part,on map information.

One or more example embodiments further determine a navigational path toanother location that fails to be a dangerous location.

One or more example embodiments further cause the vehicle to move alongthe navigational path to the other location.

One or more example embodiments further receive map information, whereinthe determination that the vehicle is location at a dangerous locationis based, at least in part, on the location of the vehicle and the mapinformation.

One or more example embodiments further identify another vehicle that isproximate to the vehicle.

One or more example embodiments further identify another vehicle thatwas involved in the accident.

One or more example embodiments further send at least a portion of thesensor information to the other vehicle based, at least in part, on theidentification of the other vehicle.

One or more example embodiments further determine that the other vehicleis an emergency response vehicle, wherein the sending of the portion ofthe sensor information to the other vehicle is based, at least in part,on the determination that the other vehicle is the emergency responsevehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the portion of the sensorinformation comprises sensor information that was received prior to theaccident.

In at least one example embodiment, the portion of the sensorinformation comprises sensor information that was received subsequent tothe accident.

One or more example embodiments further send vehicle information to theother vehicle based, at least in part, on the identification of theother vehicle.

In at least one example embodiment, the vehicle information is vehicleinsurance information.

In at least one example embodiment, the vehicle information is vehicleregistration information.

In at least one example embodiment, the vehicle information is sensorinformation.

One or more example embodiments further determine that an emergencyresponse vehicle has arrived, and send at least a portion of the sensorinformation to the emergency response vehicle based, at least in part,on the determination that the emergency response vehicle has arrived.

One or more example embodiments further determine that an emergencyresponse vehicle has arrived, and send vehicle information to theemergency response vehicle based, at least in part, on the arrival ofthe emergency response vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of one or more example embodiments,reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus according to at least oneexample embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating apparatus communication according to atleast one example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that a vehicle was involved in an accident according to atleast one example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that the vehicle fails to be occupied according to at leastone example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withreceiving other sensor information from at least one sensor according toat least one example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that the vehicle is located at a dangerous locationaccording to at least one example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with sendingvehicle information to another vehicle according to at least one exampleembodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that an emergency response vehicle has arrived according toat least one example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various example embodiments and some of their potential advantages areunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings.

Some example embodiments will now further be described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all,example embodiments are shown. One or more example embodiments may beembodied in many different forms and the claims should not be construedas being strictly limited to the example embodiments set forth herein;rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numeralsrefer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,”“content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeablyto refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored inaccordance with one or more example embodiments. Thus, use of any suchterms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of exampleembodiments.

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a)hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analogcircuitry, digital circuitry and/or any combination thereof); (b)combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprisingsoftware and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computerreadable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to performone or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, forexample, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), thatutilize software or firmware for operation even if the software orfirmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As afurther example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes animplementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s)thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example,the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, abaseband integrated circuit, an applications processor integratedcircuit, a cellular network apparatus, other network apparatus, and/orother computing apparatus.

As defined herein, a “non-transitory computer readable medium,” whichrefers to a physical medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memorydevice), can be differentiated from a “transitory computer-readablemedium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal. In at least oneexample embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium is atangible non-transitory computer readable medium.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus, such as an electronicapparatus 10, according to at least one example embodiment. It should beunderstood, however, that an electronic apparatus as illustrated andhereinafter described is merely illustrative of an electronic apparatusthat could benefit from one or more example embodiments and, therefore,should not be taken to limit the scope of the claims. While electronicapparatus 10 is illustrated and will be hereinafter described forpurposes of example, other types of electronic apparatuses may readilyemploy one or more example embodiments. Electronic apparatus 10 may be apersonal digital assistant (PDAs), a pager, a mobile computer, a desktopcomputer, a television, a gaming apparatus, a laptop computer, a tabletcomputer, a media player, a camera, a video recorder, a mobile phone, aglobal positioning system (GPS) apparatus, an infotainment system, anautomobile, a watercraft, an aircraft, an agricultural implement, andautonomous vehicle, a kiosk, an electronic table, and/or any other typesof electronic systems. Moreover, the apparatus of at least one exampleembodiment need not be the entire electronic apparatus, but may be acomponent or group of components of the electronic apparatus in otherexample embodiments. For example, the apparatus may be an integratedcircuit, a set of integrated circuits, and/or the like.

Furthermore, apparatuses may readily employ one or more exampleembodiments regardless of any intent to provide mobility. In thisregard, even though some example embodiments may be described inconjunction with mobile applications, it should be understood that suchexample embodiments may be utilized in conjunction with a variety ofother applications, both in the mobile communications industries andoutside of the mobile communications industries. For example, theapparatus may be, at least part of, a non-carryable apparatus, such as alarge screen television, an electronic table, a kiosk, an automobile,and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, electronic apparatus 10 comprises atleast one processor, such as processor 11 and at least one memory, suchas memory 12. Processor 11 may be any type of processor, controller,embedded controller, processor core, and/or the like. In at least oneexample embodiment, processor 11 utilizes computer program code to causean apparatus to perform one or more actions. Memory 12 may comprisevolatile memory, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM) including acache area for the temporary storage of data and/or other memory, forexample, non-volatile memory, which may be embedded and/or may beremovable. The non-volatile memory may comprise an EEPROM, flash memoryand/or the like. Memory 12 may store any of a number of pieces ofinformation, and data. The information and data may be used by theelectronic apparatus 10 to implement one or more functions of theelectronic apparatus 10, such as the functions described herein. In atleast one example embodiment, memory 12 includes computer program codesuch that the memory and the computer program code are configured to,working with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform one or moreactions described herein.

The electronic apparatus 10 may further comprise a communication device15. In at least one example embodiment, communication device 15comprises an antenna, (or multiple antennae), a wired connector, and/orthe like in operable communication with a transmitter and/or a receiver.In at least one example embodiment, processor 11 provides signals to atransmitter and/or receives signals from a receiver. The signals maycomprise signaling information in accordance with a communicationsinterface standard, user speech, received data, user generated data,and/or the like. Communication device 15 may operate with one or moreair interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, andaccess types (e.g., one or more standards in the Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 family of wired and wirelessstandards). By way of illustration, the electronic communication device15 may operate in accordance with second-generation (2G) wirelesscommunication protocols IS-136 (time division multiple access (TDMA)),Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), and IS-95 (code divisionmultiple access (CDMA)), with third-generation (3G) wirelesscommunication protocols, such as Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and timedivision-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), and/or with fourth-generation (4G)wireless communication protocols, wireless networking protocols, such as802.11, short-range wireless protocols, such as BLUETOOTH, and/or thelike. Communication device 15 may operate in accordance with wirelineprotocols, such as Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), asynchronoustransfer mode (ATM), and/or the like.

Processor 11 may comprise means, such as circuitry, for implementingaudio, video, communication, navigation, logic functions, and/or thelike, as well as for implementing one or more example embodimentsincluding, for example, one or more of the functions described herein.For example, processor 11 may comprise means, such as a digital signalprocessor device, a microprocessor device, an analog to digitalconverter, a digital to analog converter, processing circuitry and othercircuits, for performing various functions including, for example, oneor more of the functions described herein. The apparatus may performcontrol and signal processing functions of the electronic apparatus 10among these devices according to their respective capabilities. Theprocessor 11 thus may comprise the functionality to encode andinterleave message and data prior to modulation and transmission. Theprocessor 1 may additionally comprise an internal voice coder, and maycomprise an internal data modem. Further, the processor 11 may comprisefunctionality to operate one or more software programs, which may bestored in memory and which may, among other things, cause the processor11 to implement at least one embodiment including, for example, one ormore of the functions described herein. For example, the processor 11may operate a connectivity program, such as a conventional internetbrowser. The connectivity program may allow the electronic apparatus 10to transmit and receive internet content, such as location-based contentand/or other web page content, according to a Transmission ControlProtocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP),Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP),Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Wireless Application Protocol(WAP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and/or the like, for example.

The electronic apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface for providingoutput and/or receiving input. The electronic apparatus 10 may comprisean output device 14. Output device 14 may comprise an audio outputdevice, such as a ringer, an earphone, a speaker, and/or the like.Output device 14 may comprise a tactile output device, such as avibration transducer, an electronically deformable surface, anelectronically deformable structure, and/or the like. Output device 14may comprise a visual output device, such as a display, a light, and/orthe like. In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus causesdisplay of information, the causation of display may comprise displayingthe information on a display comprised by the apparatus, sending theinformation to a separate apparatus, and/or the like. For example, theapparatus may send the information to a separate display, to a computer,to a laptop, to a mobile apparatus, and/or the like. For example, theapparatus may be a server that causes display of the information by wayof sending the information to a client apparatus that displays theinformation. In this manner, causation of display of the information maycomprise sending one or more messages to the separate apparatus thatcomprise the information, streaming the information to the separateapparatus, and/or the like. The electronic apparatus may comprise aninput device 13. Input device 13 may comprise a light sensor, aproximity sensor, a microphone, a touch sensor, a force sensor, abutton, a keypad, a motion sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a camera,and/or the like. A touch sensor and a display may be characterized as atouch display. In an embodiment comprising a touch display, the touchdisplay may be configured to receive input from a single point ofcontact, multiple points of contact, and/or the like. In such anembodiment, the touch display and/or the processor may determine inputbased, at least in part, on position, motion, speed, contact area,and/or the like. In at least one example embodiment, the apparatusreceives an indication of an input. The apparatus may receive theindication from a sensor, a driver, a separate apparatus, and/or thelike. The information indicative of the input may comprise informationthat conveys information indicative of the input, indicative of anaspect of the input indicative of occurrence of the input, and/or thelike.

The electronic apparatus 10 may include any of a variety of touchdisplays including those that are configured to enable touch recognitionby any of resistive, capacitive, infrared, strain gauge, surface wave,optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulserecognition or other techniques, and to then provide signals indicativeof the location and other parameters associated with the touch.Additionally, the touch display may be configured to receive anindication of an input in the form of a touch event which may be definedas an actual physical contact between a selection object (e.g., afinger, stylus, pen, pencil, or other pointing device) and the touchdisplay. Alternatively, a touch event may be defined as bringing theselection object in proximity to the touch display, hovering over adisplayed object or approaching an object within a predefined distance,even though physical contact is not made with the touch display. Assuch, a touch input may comprise any input that is detected by a touchdisplay including touch events that involve actual physical contact andtouch events that do not involve physical contact but that are otherwisedetected by the touch display, such as a result of the proximity of theselection object to the touch display. A touch display may be capable ofreceiving information associated with force applied to the touch screenin relation to the touch input. For example, the touch screen maydifferentiate between a heavy press touch input and a light press touchinput. In at least one example embodiment, a display may displaytwo-dimensional information, three-dimensional information and/or thelike.

In example embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may comprisenumeric (for example, 0-9) keys, symbol keys (for example, #, *),alphabetic keys, and/or the like for operating the electronic apparatus10. For example, the keypad may comprise a conventional QWERTY keypadarrangement. The keypad may also comprise various soft keys withassociated functions. In addition, or alternatively, the electronicapparatus 10 may comprise an interface device such as a joystick orother user input interface.

Input device 13 may comprise a media capturing element. The mediacapturing element may be any means for capturing an image, video, and/oraudio for storage, display or transmission. For example, in at least oneexample embodiment in which the media capturing element is a cameramodule, the camera module may comprise a digital camera which may form adigital image file from a captured image. As such, the camera module maycomprise hardware, such as a lens or other optical component(s), and/orsoftware for creating a digital image file from a captured image.Alternatively, the camera module may comprise only the hardware forviewing an image, while a memory device of the electronic apparatus 10stores instructions for execution by the processor 11 in the form ofsoftware for creating a digital image file from a captured image. In atleast one example embodiment, the camera module may further comprise aprocessing element that is separate from processor 11 for processingdata, such as image data. The camera module may provide data, such asimage data, in one or more of various formats. In at least one exampleembodiment, the camera module comprises an encoder, a decoder, and/orthe like for compressing and/or decompressing image data. The encoderand/or decoder may encode and/or decode according to a standard format,for example, a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard format.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating apparatus communication according to atleast one example embodiment. The example of FIG. 2 is merely an exampleand does not limit the scope of the claims. For example, apparatus countmay vary, apparatus configuration may vary, communication channels mayvary, and/or the like.

In modern times, vehicles may utilize one or more sensors to navigateautonomously. For example, a vehicle, an automobile, an aircraft, awatercraft, an agricultural implement, and/or the like may utilize asatellite navigation system such as a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver, a GLONASS receiver, a Galileo receiver, and/or the like todetermine the vehicle's location on the Earth and navigate to adifferent location without real time control input from an operator ofthe vehicle. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus determinesa location of a vehicle. In some circumstances, a vehicle may utilize aradar sensor, a camera module, an ultrasonic sensor, and/or the like tosense and automatically avoid objects such as other vehicles, impassableobjects, pedestrians, and/or the like. In at least one exampleembodiment, an apparatus receives sensor information from at least onesensor. Sensor information may refer to raw data, formatted data,processed data, and/or the like received from a sensor. For example, aGPS receiver may transmit data packets to an apparatus having aparticular format, a radar sensor may transmit analog voltages to theapparatus, and/or the like.

A vehicle that may navigate in manners such as previously described andother similar manners without real time control input from an operatormay be referred to as an autonomous vehicle. For example, an automobilethat automatically navigates by way of a GPS receiver may be anautonomous vehicle. In at least one example embodiment, a vehicle is anautonomous vehicle. In some circumstances, an autonomous vehicle mayreceive non-real time control input to control the navigation of thevehicle. For example, an operator of the autonomous vehicle maycommunicate a navigational path for the apparatus to follow before atrip of the autonomous vehicle is initiated, and may update thenavigational path while the autonomous vehicle is navigating. In otherexamples, the autonomous vehicle may receive real-time control inputsfor at least a portion of the operation of the autonomous vehicle. Forexample, an autonomous delivery van may be controlled by a human forsome maneuvers, and may operate autonomously during traveling from onedestination to another.

One or more example embodiments may include a geographic database. Forexample, the geographic database may comprise, navigational data,location attributes, and/or the like. Information included within ageographic database may be referred to as map data. For example, thegeographic database may include node data records, road segment or linkdata records, point of interest (POI) data records, perspective imagedata records, video content data records, and other data records. In atleast one example embodiment, map data includes at least one of roadsegment data, POI data, node data, traffic information, or weatherinformation. More, fewer or different data records may be provided. Inat least one example embodiment, the other data records includecartographic (“carto”) data records, routing data, and maneuver data.One or more portions, components, areas, layers, features, text, and/orsymbols of the POI or event data may be stored in, linked to, and/orassociated with one or more of these data records. For example, one ormore portions of the POI, event data, or recorded route information maybe matched with respective map or geographic records via position or GPSdata associations (such as using known or future map matching orgeo-coding techniques), for example.

In at least one example embodiment, the road segment data records arelinks or segments representing roads, streets, or paths, as may be usedin the calculated route or recorded route information for determinationof one or more personalized routes. The node data records may be endpoints corresponding to the respective links or segments of the roadsegment data records. The road link data records and the node datarecords may represent a road network, such as used by vehicles, cars,and/or other entities. Alternatively, the geographic database maycontain path segment and node data records or other data that representpedestrian paths or areas in addition to or instead of the vehicle roadrecord data, for example.

The road/link segments and nodes, as well as other geographic locationsmay be associated with attributes, such as geographic coordinates, roadsurface conditions, traffic conditions, adjacent geographic features,street names, address ranges, speed limits, turn restrictions atintersections, and other navigation related attributes, as well as POIs,such as gasoline stations, hotels, restaurants, museums, stadiums,offices, automobile dealerships, auto repair shops, buildings, stores,parks, etc. The geographic database may include data about the POIs andtheir respective locations in the POI data records. The geographicdatabase may also include data about places, such as cities, towns, orother communities, and other geographic features, such as bodies ofwater, mountain ranges, etc. Such place or feature data may be part ofthe POI data or may be associated with POIs or POI data records (such asa data point used for displaying or representing a position of a city).In addition, the geographic database may include and/or be associatedwith event data (e.g., traffic incidents, constructions, scheduledevents, unscheduled events, etc.) associated with the POI data recordsor other records of the geographic database.

The geographic database may be maintained by a content provider (e.g., amap developer) in association with a services platform. By way ofexample, the map developer may collect geographic data to generate andenhance the geographic database. There may be different ways used by themap developer to collect data. These ways may include obtaining datafrom other sources, such as municipalities or respective geographicauthorities. In addition, the map developer may employ field personnelto travel by vehicle along roads throughout the geographic region toobserve features and/or record information about them, for example.Also, remote sensing, such as aerial or satellite photography, may beused.

The geographic database may be a master geographic database stored in aformat that facilitates updating, maintenance, and development. Forexample, the master geographic database or data in the master geographicdatabase may be in an ORACLE spatial format or other spatial format,such as for development or production purposes. The ORACLE spatialformat or development/production database may be compiled into adelivery format, such as a geographic data files (GDF) format. The datain the production and/or delivery formats may be compiled or furthercompiled to form geographic database products or databases, which may beused in end user navigation apparatuses or systems.

Geographic data may be compiled (such as into a platform specificationformat (PSF) format) to organize and/or configure the data forperforming navigation-related functions and/or services, such as routecalculation, route guidance, map display, speed calculation, distanceand travel time functions, and other functions, by a navigationapparatus, such as by an end user apparatus, for example. Thenavigation-related functions may correspond to vehicle navigation,pedestrian navigation, or other types of navigation. The compilation toproduce the end user databases may be performed by a party or entityseparate from the map developer. For example, a customer of the mapdeveloper, such as a navigation apparatus developer or other end userapparatus developer, may perform compilation on a received geographicdatabase in a delivery format to produce one or more compiled navigationdatabases.

In some circumstances, the geographic data compiled within a databasemay be static data. For example, the geographic data may be values thatrarely or never change, such as the latitude and longitude of anaddress, the relative positions of roads, and/or the like. Such data maybe referred to as static map data. In some circumstances, the geographicdata compiled within a database may be dynamic data. For example, thegeographic data may be values that change frequently over time, such astraffic conditions, weather conditions, and/or the like. Such data maybe referred to as dynamic map data.

As mentioned above, a server side geographic database may be a mastergeographic database, but in alternate embodiments, a client sidegeographic database may represent a compiled navigation database thatmay be used in or with an end user apparatus to provide navigationand/or map-related functions. For example, the geographic database maybe used with an end user apparatus to provide an end user withnavigation features. In such an example, the geographic database may bedownloaded or stored on the end user apparatus, such as in one or moreapplications, or the end user apparatus may access the geographicdatabase through a wireless or wired connection (such as via a serverand/or a communication network), for example.

In at least one example embodiment, the end user apparatus is one of anin-vehicle navigation system, a personal navigation device(PND)/personal navigation apparatus, a portable navigationdevice/portable navigation apparatus, a cellular telephone, a mobilephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a watch, a camera, acomputer, and/or other apparatuses that may perform navigation-relatedfunctions, such as digital routing and map display. In at least oneexample embodiment, the navigation apparatus is a cellular telephone. Anend user may use the end user apparatus for navigation and map functionssuch as guidance and map display, for example, and for determination ofone or more personalized routes or route segments based, at least inpart, on one or more calculated and recorded routes, according toexemplary embodiments. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatusreceives map data that is associated with a location of an autonomousvehicle. Map data that is associated with the location of the autonomousvehicle may refer to map data that has a data association with thelocation of the autonomous vehicle. For example, a navigationalapparatus mounted within the autonomous vehicle may receive GPS signalscorresponding with latitude and longitude coordinates, and thenavigational apparatus may receive map data associated with thecoordinates from a geographical database. In some circumstances, mapdata may be stored in memory. For example, a navigational apparatus maycomprise non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, and/or the like tostore a geographical database. In at least one example embodiment, mapdata comprises retrieving the map data from memory. In somecircumstances, map data may be stored on a separate apparatus. Forexample, the map data may be stored on a server hosted by a serviceprovider, stored in the memory of a separate apparatus such as anautomobile, and/or the like. In at least one example embodiment,receiving the map data comprises retrieving the map data from a separateapparatus.

To facilitate autonomous operation of a vehicle, it may be desirable foran apparatus to communicate with another apparatus. For example, it maybe desirable for an autonomous vehicle to receive map data from aservice provider, for an autonomous vehicle to receive locationinformation associated with other vehicles, and/or the like. In thismanner, an autonomous vehicle may navigate in a safe and accuratemanner, may avoid colliding with other objects and vehicles, and/or thelike.

The example of FIG. 2 illustrates communication between apparatuses 202,204, 206, and 208 by way of communication channels 210, 212, 214, and216. Even though the example of FIG. 2 illustrates apparatuses 202, 204,and 206 as automobiles and apparatus 208 as a building, it should beunderstood that the communication in the example of FIG. 2 may bebetween apparatuses associated with apparatuses 202, 204, 206 and 208.For example, the communication may be between electronic apparatuseshoused within any of apparatuses 202, 204, 206, and 208. An electronicapparatus may be an electronic apparatus that a user commonly utilizesduring performance of various tasks, activities, and/or the like. Forexample, apparatus 202 may house an electronic apparatus that anoperator of apparatus 202 frequently utilizes to view information, tobrowse websites, to search for map information, and/or the like. Forexample, the electronic apparatus may be a phone, a tablet, a computer,a laptop, a navigation system, and/or the like. In another example,apparatus 208 may house a separate electronic apparatus. The separateelectronic apparatus may be utilized to store information associatedwith the electronic apparatus, to process information received from theelectronic apparatus, and/or the like. For example, a separateelectronic apparatus may be a phone, a tablet, a computer, a laptop, aserver, a database, a cloud platform, and/or the like. Although theaforementioned example describes an electronic apparatus and a separateelectronic apparatus in some circumstances, the apparatuses may both beelectronic apparatuses, both be separate electronic apparatuses, and/orthe like.

In the example of FIG. 2, apparatus 202 communicates with apparatus 204by way of communication channel 210. For example, apparatus 202 may sendinformation to apparatus 204 by way of communication channel 210,apparatus 202 may receive information sent from apparatus 204 by way ofcommunication channel 210, and/or the like. A communication channel, forexample, may be a channel utilized for sending and/or receiving ofinformation, data, communications, and/or the like, between two or moreapparatuses. It should be understood that communication channel 210 ofthe example of FIG. 2 illustrates an indirect communication channelbetween apparatus 202 and apparatus 204. For example, there may beintermediate apparatuses that facilitate communication between apparatus202 and apparatus 204. For example, there may be one or more routers,hubs, switches, gateways, servers, and/or the like, that are utilized inthe communication channels between apparatus 202 and apparatus 204. Forexample, it can be seen that an intermediate communication channel 210Ais present between apparatus 202 and communication channel 210, and anintermediate communication channel 210B is present between apparatus 204and communication channel 210. In this manner, apparatus 202 maycommunicate with apparatus 204 by way of communication channels 210A,210, and 210B. In addition, there may be other separate apparatuses thatapparatus 202 and/or apparatus 204 are in communication with. Forexample, apparatus 202 and/or apparatus 204 may be in communication withanother apparatus, a separate apparatus, a different apparatus, and/orthe like.

In the example of FIG. 2, apparatus 202 further communicates withapparatuses 206 and 208 by way of communication channel 210 in a similarmanner as described regarding communication between apparatus 202 andapparatus 204. For example, it can be seen that an intermediatecommunication channel 210C is present between apparatus 206 andcommunication channel 210, and an intermediate communication channel210D is present between apparatus 208 and communication channel 210. Ina similar manner, in the example of FIG. 2, apparatus 204 maycommunicate with apparatus 202, 206, and 208, apparatus 206 maycommunicate with apparatus 202, 204, and 208, and apparatus 208 maycommunicate with apparatus 202, 204, and 206, and/or the like, by way ofcommunication channels 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, and/or the like.

In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus and a separateapparatus communicate by way of non-proximity-based communicationchannels. For example, as depicted in FIG. 2, apparatus 202 communicateswith apparatus 204 by way of communication channel 210. In the exampleof FIG. 2, communication channel 210 may be a local area networkcommunication channel, a wide area network communication channel, aninternet communication channel, a cellular communication channel, and/orthe like.

In some circumstances, a user may desire to have collaboration betweenapparatuses, such as between an apparatus and a separate apparatus,based on their proximity with each other. For example, it may beintuitive for a user to manage collaboration between apparatuses thatare local to each other. A plurality of apparatuses may be proximate toeach other based, at least in part, on location, availability of localcommunication among the apparatuses, and/or the like. For example, ifthe apparatuses collaborate by way of visual display, audio playback,low power radio frequency communication, a radio frequencycommunication, near field communication, inductive communication,electric field communication, BLUETOOTH communication, infraredcommunication, local area network communication, wireless local areanetwork communication, local port communication, input/output portcommunication, and/or the like, the apparatuses may be considered to beproximate with each other based, at least in part, on availability ofsuch proximity-based communication with each other. In at least oneexample embodiment, an apparatus may be a phone, a tablet, a computer, anavigation system, an automobile, a watercraft, an aircraft, anagricultural implement, an autonomous vehicle, an electronic apparatus,a peripheral apparatus, a host apparatus, and/or the like. In at leastone example embodiment, apparatuses communicate with each other. Forexample, an apparatus may be an apparatus that automaticallycommunicates with another apparatus for purposes such as identifying theapparatus, synchronizing data, exchanging status information, and/or thelike. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus retainsinformation associated with communication with a separate apparatus. Forexample, the apparatus may comprise information associated withidentifying, communicating with, authenticating, performingauthentication with, and/or the like, the separate apparatus. In thismanner, the apparatus may be privileged to perform operations inconjunction with the separate apparatus that a different apparatus maylack the privilege to perform. For example, the apparatus may beprivileged to access specific information that may be stored on theseparate apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform one or moreoperations in response to a directive communicated to the separateapparatus, and/or the like.

In the example of FIG. 2, apparatus 202 communicates with apparatus 204by way of communication channel 214. For example, apparatus 202 may sendinformation to apparatus 204 by way of communication channel 214,apparatus 202 may receive information sent from apparatus 204 by way ofcommunication channel 214, and/or the like. It should be understood thatcommunication channel 214 of the example of FIG. 2 illustrates a directcommunication channel between apparatus 202 and apparatus 204. Forexample, communication channel 214 may lack intermediate apparatusesthat facilitate communication between apparatus 202 and apparatus 204.For example, communication channel 214 may be a proximity-basedcommunication channel. In at least one example embodiment, communicationthat is based, at least in part, on short range communication isreferred to as proximity-based communication. In at least one exampleembodiment, proximity-based communication relates to wirelesscommunication that is associated with a short range, such as low powerradio frequency communication, radio frequency communication, near fieldcommunication, inductive communication, electric field communication,BLUETOOTH communication, infrared communication, local area networkcommunication, wireless local area network communication, local portcommunication, input/output port communication, a vehicular ad hocnetwork similar as described in the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and 802.16 standards, and/or thelike. In such an example, the exchange of information may be by way ofthe short range wireless communication, visual communication, audiocommunication, and/or the like between the apparatus and a separateapparatus, host apparatus, and/or the like.

In the example of FIG. 2, apparatus 204 communicates with apparatus 206by way of communication channel 216 in a similar manner as describedregarding communication between apparatus 202 and apparatus 204 overcommunication channel 214. For example, it can be seen thatcommunication channel 216 is a direct communication channel. In theexample of FIG. 2, apparatus 206 communicates with apparatus 202 by wayof communication channel 212 in a similar manner as described regardingcommunication between apparatus 202 and apparatus 204 over communicationchannel 214. For example, it can be seen that communication channel 212is a direct communication channel. Even though it is not shown in theexample of FIG. 2, it should be understood than apparatuses 202, 204,and 206 may communicate with apparatus 208 by way of a directcommunication channel in some circumstances. For example, apparatus 202may communication with apparatus 208 over a direct communicationchannels when apparatus 202 is proximate to apparatus 208.

In at least one example embodiment, a proximity-based communicationchannel is a low power radio frequency communication channel, a radiofrequency communication channel, a near field communication channel, awireless communication channel, a wireless local area networkcommunication channel, a BLUETOOTH communication channel, an electricfield communication channel, an inductive communication channel, aninfrared communication channel, a visual communication channel, anaudible communication channel, and/or the like. For example, as depictedin FIG. 2, apparatus 202 communicates with apparatus 204 by way of acommunication channel 214. In the example of FIG. 2, communicationchannel 214 may be a low power radio frequency communication channel, aradio frequency communication channel, a near field communicationchannel, a wireless communication channel, a wireless local area networkcommunication channel, a BLUETOOTH communication channel, an electricfield communication channel, an inductive communication channel, aninfrared communication channel, a visual communication channel, anaudible communication channel, and/or the like.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that a vehicle was involved in an accident according to atleast one example embodiment. In at least one example embodiment, thereis a set of operations that corresponds with the activities of FIG. 3.An apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or aportion thereof, may utilize the set of operations. The apparatus maycomprise means, including, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, forperformance of such operations. In an example embodiment, an apparatus,for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, is transformed by havingmemory, for example memory 12 of FIG. 1, comprising computer codeconfigured to, working with a processor, for example processor 11 ofFIG. 1, cause the apparatus to perform the set of operations of FIG. 3.

As discussed previously, in many circumstances, a vehicle may receivesensor information from at least one sensor. For example, the vehiclemay receive sensor information from a speed sensor, an accelerometersensor, a vibration sensor, an impact sensor, an audio sensor, a fuelsensor, an oil sensor, a tire pressure monitoring sensor, a smokesensor, an emissions sensor, airbag sensor, and/or the like. In suchcircumstances, the vehicle may analyze the sensor information todetermine a location of the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, atrajectory of the vehicle, one or more aspects of the environmentsurrounding the vehicle, and/or the like. For example, the vehicle mayreceive speed sensor information from a speed sensor that indicates aspeed of the vehicle at a particular time, may receive accelerometersensor information from an accelerometer sensor that indicates amagnitude and/or direction of acceleration being experienced by thevehicle, and/or the like. In some circumstances, the sensors may becomprised by the vehicle. However, in some circumstances, sensorinformation from one or more sensors may be received from a separateapparatus, a separate vehicle, and/or the like. For example, the vehiclemay receive sensor information that was sent by another vehicle by wayof one or more communication channels, as described regarding theexample of FIG. 2. In such an example, the other vehicle may compriseone or more sensors, and share at least a portion of the sensorinformation derived from such sensors with the vehicle.

As discussed previously, a vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle. In suchcircumstances, since a human occupant may not be present within thevehicle to manage certain situations experienced by the vehicle, it maybe desirable to utilize sensor information to determine events thatoccur with respect to the vehicle. For example, certain events mayaffect the operation of the vehicle, may necessitate the notification ofone or more interested parties, may require the assistance of emergencyresponse, and/or the like. In at least one example embodiment, anapparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in an accident. Forexample, an accident may be a collision with an object, a collision withanother vehicle, a tire blow out, a flat tire, a single vehicleaccident, a rollover, and/or the like. Such a determination may bebased, at least in part, on the sensor information. For example, theapparatus may receive sensor information from an impact sensor, a glassbreak sensor, an accelerometer sensor, and/or the like, and determinethat the vehicle was involved in an accident based, at least in part, onthe sensor information. For example, if the vehicle experiences a suddendeceleration that is beyond a particular threshold, the apparatus maydetermine that the vehicle was involved in an accident. In anotherexample, if the apparatus receives sensor information from an impactsensor that indicates that a front quarter panel of the vehicle wasimpacted and sensor information from an airbag sensor that indicatesthat one or more airbags was deployed, the apparatus may determine thatthe vehicle was involved in an accident based, at least in part, on theimpact and the airbag deployment.

In some circumstances, an apparatus may determine a relative severity ofthe accident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. Therelative severity of the accident may be associated with a force ofimpact, a number of airbags deployed, the number and location oftriggered impact sensors, any sensor information which may be used toinfer the amount of damage done to the vehicle during the accident,and/or the like.

Additionally, in some circumstances, it may be desirable to determine anoperational state of the vehicle subsequent to occurrence of theaccident. For example, the operational state may be a mobility impairedstate. A mobility impaired state may indicate circumstances in which thevehicle is incapable of moving itself, in which it is undesirable forthe vehicle to move itself, and/or the like. For example, a vehicle maybe incapable of moving itself after a failure of its mechanical orelectrical components, damage to a tire, and/or the like. In anotherexample, it may be undesirable for a vehicle to move itself incircumstances in which moving the vehicle may cause damage to thevehicle, to another vehicle, to private property, etc., and/or the like.In at least one example embodiment, the operational state is a mobilityimpaired state. A vehicle that is in the mobility impaired statesubsequent to occurrence of the accident may be immobile, and requireassistance to be removed from the roadway.

In many circumstances, one or more parties, individuals, companies,and/or the like may desire to be notified of the occurrence of theaccident. For example, the owner of the vehicle may desire to beinformed as to the occurrence of the accident, the severity of theaccident, the location of the accident, and/or the like. In such anexample, the owner may desire to dispatch an individual to the scene ofthe accident, may desire to create a work order for the reconditioningof the vehicle, and/or the like. In another example, an insuranceprovider retained by the owner of the vehicle may desire to be informedof the occurrence of the accident, the severity of the accident, thelocation of the accident, and/or the like. In such an example, theinsurance provider may be interested in determining a potential claimfor insurance reimbursement, identifying which party may be at fault ina multi-party accident, and/or the like. Further, in such an example, itmay be desirable to only alert the insurance provider if the owner ofthe vehicle intends to file a claim with the insurance provider, if theseverity of the accident is beyond a certain threshold, and/or the like.In this manner, it may be desirable to send an informative notificationto one or more interested parties based, at least in part, on one ormore informative notification criteria. An informative notification maybe any notification that comprises information about the vehicle,information pertaining to the accident and/or the occurrence of theaccident, information indicating a location of the accident, and/or thelike. For example, an informative notification may comprise informationthat identifies the vehicle involved in the accident, a relativeseverity of the accident, a location of the accident, an operationalstate of the vehicle, information that indicates whether emergencyresponse assistance was requested, and/or the like. In at least oneexample embodiment, an informative notification is a notification thatfails to request any assistance.

In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus determines that aninformative notification criteria is satisfied. For example, aninformative notification criteria may be satisfied based, at least inpart, on sensor information that indicates a value that is beyond apredetermined threshold, a value that is below a predeterminedthreshold, a value that is within a range of values associated with aparticular sensor, and/or the like. Such thresholds may be set on aper-sensor basis, may be associated with default values by amanufacturer of the vehicle, may be user-adjustable based on a userpreference regarding conditions in which one or more notifications arecommunicated to one or more parties, and/or the like. In this manner,the informative notification criteria may be adaptable, changeable, etc.based on manufacturer information, user preferences, and/or the like. Insuch an example embodiment, the determination that the informativenotification criteria is satisfied is based, at least in part, on theaccident, on the occurrence of the accident, on the sensor informationthat indicates the occurrence of the accident, and/or the like.

The informative notification criteria may be any criteria that may besatisfied by sensor information, a range of sensor information, and/orthe like. For example, the informative notification criteria mayindicate a threshold value associated with sensor information receivedfrom a particular sensor, beyond (or below) which, the informativenotification criteria is satisfied. The informative notificationcriteria may be a weighted average of a plurality of criteria, may be anaggregation of more than one criteria, and/or the like. For example, insome circumstances, satisfaction of a single informative notificationcriteria may cause sending of an informative notification, whilesatisfaction of a different single informative notification criteria mayfail to cause sending of an informative notification. In such anexample, the satisfaction of the different informative notificationcriteria may be necessary, but not sufficient, to cause sending of theinformative notification. In some circumstances, satisfaction of aplurality of informative notification criteria may cause sending of theinformative notification. In this manner, the informative notificationcriteria may be implemented by way of case statements, if-thenstatements, an aggregation of informative notification criteria, and/orthe like. In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus causessending of an informative notification in response to the determinationthat the informative notification criteria is satisfied.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to selectively communicate aninformative notification based, at least in part, on a relative severityof an accident. For example, an informative notification criteria may besatisfied based, at least in part, on an accident severity value (e.g.,a severity scale that may be, for example, 0 to 100, 0 to 10, etc.), anaccident severity category (e.g., high, low, medium, fender bender,scratch, etc.), and/or the like. The accident severity value, theaccident severity category, and/or the like may be determined based, atleast in part, on sensor information received from one or more sensors,such as vibration sensors, seat belt sensors, airbag sensors, impactsensors, etc., on a location of the accident, such as a highway versus acounty road, and/or the like. In such an example, the accident severityvalue, the accident severity category, and/or the like may indicate anaccident severity value that is beyond a predetermined threshold, anaccident severity category that is below a predetermined threshold,and/or the like. As such, an apparatus may send an informativenotification in response to occurrence of an accident with an accidentseverity category of high (e.g., an accident on the highway, amultiple-vehicle accident, etc.), while the apparatus may avoid sendingan informative notification in response to occurrence of an accidentwith an accident severity value of 2 out of 100 (e.g., the vehicleclipped a curb while turning, received a very low speed bump at a stopsign, etc.). In this manner, one or more thresholds may be configuredsuch that an informative notification may be sent in circumstances thatwarrant such a communication, and precluded from being sent in responseto an inconsequential accident.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is anowner informative notification. An owner informative notification may bea notification communicated to an owner of the vehicle, a registeredparty associated with the vehicle, a fleet manager in charge ofoperations associated with the vehicle, an agent and/or employee of theowner of the vehicle, a database that is accessible by the owner of thevehicle, and/or the like. The owner informative notification maycomprise information that indicates the vehicle involved in theaccident, a relative severity of the accident, a location of theaccident, an operational state of the vehicle, information thatindicates whether emergency response assistance was requested, and/orthe like.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is aninsurance informative notification. An insurance informativenotification may be a notification communicated to an insurance providerof the vehicle, a registered party associated with the vehicle, aninsurance agent in charge of managing the insurance on the vehicle, anagent and/or employee of the insurance provider, a database that isaccessible by the insurance provider, and/or the like. The insuranceinformative notification may comprise information that indicates thevehicle involved in the accident, one or more other vehicles involved inthe accident, a relative severity of the accident, a location of theaccident, an operational state of the vehicle, information thatindicates whether emergency response assistance was requested, and/orthe like.

In at least one example embodiment, the informative notification is aproperty owner informative notification. A property owner informativenotification may be a notification communicated to an owner of separateproperty that was involved in the accident, an owner of real propertythat was the scene of the accident, a database that is accessible by theother property owner, and/or the like. For example, a vehicle maycollide with a parked car owned by the other property owner, may impacta fence or mailbox owned by the other property owner, and/or the like.In this manner, it may be desirable to notify the other property owneras to the occurrence of the accident in order to satisfy any legalobligations regarding notification, reimbursement, compensation, and/orthe like. The property owner informative notification may compriseinformation that indicates the vehicle involved in the accident, theowner of the vehicle, vehicle insurance information associated with aninsurance policy covering the vehicle, one or more other vehiclesinvolved in the accident, owners of the one or more other vehicles, arelative severity of the accident, an object damaged in the accident, alocation of the accident, and/or the like.

In many circumstances, occurrence of an accident may block traffic, mayimpede the flow of traffic, may delay travel times for other motorists,and/or the like. Further, the arrival of emergency response vehicles,tow trucks, and/or the like may further impede traffic, resulting ingridlock. Modern mapping applications, navigational services, etc. oftenutilize traffic data, current traffic congestion conditions, accidenttracking, and/or the like to plot time efficient navigational routes, tobypass heavily congested thoroughfares, to avoid the scene of anaccident, and/or the like. As such, it may be desirable to communicateinformation to one or more service providers that maintainsrepositories, databases, etc. for such information. In at least oneexample embodiment, the informative notification is a service providerinformative notification. The property owner informative notificationmay comprise information that indicates a number of vehicles involved inthe accident, a type of vehicle involved in the accident, an operationalstate of the vehicle (i.e. immobile), a relative severity of theaccident, a location of the accident, one or more specific lanesaffected by the accident, whether emergency response assistance wasrequested, and/or the like.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify more than one partyas to the occurrence of the accident. For example, it may be desirableto convey certain information to the owner of the vehicle, differentinformation to an insurance provider, and other information to anotherproperty owner. In such an example, the informative notificationcriteria for each of the owner, the insurance provider, and the otherproperty owner may differ from each other, may be independent, and/orthe like. In this manner, the apparatus may determine that aninformative notification criteria for an owner informative notificationis satisfied and send an owner informative notification to the owner,may determine that an informative notification criteria for an insuranceinformative notification is satisfied and send an insurance informativenotification to the insurance provider, but may determine that aninformative notification criteria for a property owner informativenotification fails to be satisfied and precludes sending a propertyowner informative notification to another property owner. For example,the accident may failed to involve any other property belonging toanother property owner. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatusdetermines that another informative notification criteria is satisfiedbased, at least in part, on the accident, and causes sending of anotherinformative notification in response to the determination that the otherinformative notification criteria is satisfied. In at least one exampleembodiment, an apparatus determines that another informativenotification criteria fails to be satisfied based, at least in part, onthe accident, and precludes sending of another informative notificationin response to the determination that the other informative notificationcriteria fails to be satisfied.

In many circumstances, one or more remedial measures may be necessary inresponse to the occurrence of the accident. For example, it may bedesirable to notify an emergency responder as to the occurrence of theaccident, the severity of the accident, the location of the accident,and/or the like. In such an example, the emergency responder may desireto dispatch one or more emergency response vehicles, such as a policevehicle, a fire truck, an ambulance, and/or the like, to the scene ofthe accident, and/or the like. In another example, the vehicle may beimmobile and, thus, it may be desirable to notify a tow assistanceprovider as to the occurrence of the accident, the severity of theaccident, the location of the accident, and/or the like. In such anexample, the tow assistance provider may be interested in determining aroute to the scene of the accident, a type of tow truck to dispatch(i.e. flat-bed, heavy duty tractor, etc.), and/or the like. Further, insuch an example, it may be desirable to only alert the tow assistanceprovider if the vehicle is immobile, if the severity of the accident isbeyond a certain threshold, if a roadside service assistance provider isunavailable, and/or the like. In this manner, it may be desirable tosend a remedial request to one or more interested parties based, atleast in part, on one or more remedial request criteria. A remedialrequest may be any request that comprises information about the vehicle,information pertaining to the accident and/or the occurrence of theaccident, information indicating a location of the accident, informativerequesting a particular type of assistance, an indication of therelative severity of the accident, and/or the like. For example, aremedial request may comprise information that identifies the vehicleinvolved in the accident, a relative severity of the accident, alocation of the accident, an operational state of the vehicle,information that indicates a type of emergency response assistancerequested, a type of object involved in the accident, whether anyhumans, animals, etc. were present at the scene of the accident, and/orthe like.

In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus determines whether aremedial request criteria is satisfied. In such an example embodiment,the determination of whether the remedial request criteria is satisfiedmay be based, at least in part, on the accident, on the occurrence ofthe accident, on any sensor information received by the vehicle, and/orthe like. The remedial request criteria may be any criteria that may besatisfied by sensor information, a range of sensor information, and/orthe like. For example, the remedial request criteria may indicate athreshold value associated with sensor information received from aparticular sensor, beyond (or below) which, the informative notificationcriteria is satisfied. Such thresholds, ranges, values, etc. associatedwith one or more remedial request criteria may be set on a per-sensorbasis, may be associated with default values by a manufacturer of thevehicle, may be user-adjustable based on a user preference regardingconditions in which one or more notifications are communicated to one ormore parties, and/or the like. In this manner, the remedial requestcriteria may be adaptable, changeable, etc. based on manufacturerinformation, user preferences, and/or the like. In some circumstances,it may be desirable to preclude modification of one or more remedialrequest criteria. For example, a manufacturer of a vehicle may desire topreclude modification of a remedial request criteria that, if satisfied,causes sending of a remedial request to an emergency medical serviceprovider. For example, if a person is involved in an accident (i.e. theperson is struck by the vehicle, the vehicle is involved in an accidentwith an occupied vehicle, etc.), it may be desirable to precludemodification of a remedial request criteria that sends a remedialrequest in response to a determination that a person was involved in theaccident.

The remedial request criteria may be a weighted average of a pluralityof criteria, may be an aggregation of more than one criteria, and/or thelike. For example, in some circumstances, satisfaction of a singleremedial request criteria may cause sending of a remedial request, whilesatisfaction of a different single remedial request criteria may fail tocause sending of a remedial request. In such an example, the singleremedial request criteria may be satisfied based, at least in part, onthe involvement of a person in the accident. As such, for example, if apedestrian is struck in the accident, the remedial request criteria maybe satisfied regardless of any other sensor information and/or otherremedial request criteria, and a remedial request may be sent. In suchan example, the satisfaction of the different remedial request criteriamay be necessary, but not sufficient, to cause sending of the remedialrequest. In some circumstances, satisfaction of a plurality of remedialrequest criteria may cause sending of the remedial request. In thismanner, the remedial request criteria may be implemented by way of casestatements, if-then statements, an aggregation of remedial requestcriteria, and/or the like. In circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, the apparatus may send a remedial request based,at least in part, on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria.In circumstances where the remedial request criteria fails to besatisfied, the apparatus may preclude sending of the remedial requestbased, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of the remedialrequest criteria. In this manner, in at least one example embodiment,the apparatus causes sending of a remedial request in response to thedetermination that the remedial request criteria is satisfied.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify an emergencyresponder as to the occurrence of an accident and/or request theassistance of such emergency responders. For example, it may bedesirable to request assistance from a police department, a firedepartment, a medical assistance provider, and/or the like. In at leastone example embodiment, the remedial request criteria is an emergencyassistance request criteria, and the remedial request is an emergencyassistance request.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a police department. For example, a police officer maybe able to provide documentation of the accident for insurance purposes,may be able to determine and assign fault in the occurrence of theaccident, may direct traffic around the accident, and/or the like. In atleast one example embodiment, the emergency assistance request is apolice assistance request. In such an example embodiment, the emergencyassistance request criteria is a police assistance criteria. In thismanner, if the police assistance criteria is satisfied based, at leastin part, on the accident and the sensor information, the apparatus maycause sending of a police assistance request to a dispatcher, a policedepartment, a state trooper department, and/or the like.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a fire department. For example, a fire fighter may beable to provide physical assistance in moving an immobile vehicle, firesuppression services, may assist in freeing a trapped person, may directtraffic around the accident, and/or the like. In at least one exampleembodiment, the emergency assistance request is a fire assistancerequest. In such an example embodiment, the emergency assistance requestcriteria is a fire assistance criteria. The fire assistance criteria maybe satisfied in circumstances in which an person was involved in theaccident, there is a trapped occupant in the vehicle, a fire hazard hasbeen identified based, at least in part, on sensor information receivedfrom a fuel sensor, oil sensor, battery sensor, etc., and/or the like.For example, the sensor information received from the fuel sensor mayindicate a drop in fuel pressure, a reduction in fuel volume, etc.,which may indicate a fuel leak. In another example, the sensorinformation received from the battery sensor may indicate that a batterypack comprised by the vehicle was damaged, that the battery terminalshave been shorted, and/or the like. In this manner, if the fireassistance criteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on theaccident and the sensor information, the apparatus may cause sending ofa fire assistance request to a dispatcher, a fire department, and/or thelike.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a provider of emergency medical services. For example,an emergency medical services provider may arrive in an ambulance thatis configured to treat injuries, to transport an injured person to ahospital for continued treatment, to airlift a critically injured personto a regional trauma center, and/or the like. In at least one exampleembodiment, the emergency assistance request is a medical assistancerequest. The medical assistance request may be sent to differentemergency medical service providers based, at least in part, on arelative severity of the accident, a number of persons involved in theaccident, and/or the like. For example, a more severe accident mayresult in a more significant injury and, thus, necessitate an airlift.In another example, a distance from a regional trauma center may makehelicopter transportation more desirable than ambulance transportation.In such an example embodiment, the emergency assistance request criteriais a medical assistance criteria. The medical assistance criteria may besatisfied in circumstances in which a person was involved in theaccident, there is a trapped occupant in the vehicle, there is anunresponsive individual in the vehicle, and/or the like. For example,sensor information received for an occupancy sensor may indicate thatthe vehicle is occupied by a person, but the person is remaining still,the person's heartbeat and/or respiration rate is erratic, and/or thelike. In another example, the sensor information may indicate that thevehicle collided with a pedestrian during the accident, that anothervehicle involved in the accident collided with a pedestrian, and/or thelike. In this manner, if the medical assistance criteria is satisfiedbased, at least in part, on the accident and the sensor information, theapparatus may cause sending of a medical assistance request to adispatcher, a fire department, a hospital, an emergency medical servicesprovider, and/or the like.

In many circumstances, it may be desirable to determine an object struckin an accident, a type of object that the vehicle collided with, and/orthe like. For example, it may be desirable to send a medical assistancerequest in response to the occurrence of any accident involving aperson. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus determines atype of object involved in the accident. In such an example embodiment,the satisfaction of the medical assistance criteria may be based, atleast in part, on the type of object involved in the accident. In atleast one example embodiment, the determination of the type of objectinvolved in the accident comprises receipt of other sensor informationthat represents the environment surround the vehicle at a time prior tothe accident. The apparatus may identify the type of object involved inthe accident based, at least in part, on the other sensor information.For example, the other sensor information may be image information,infrared information, radar information, and/or the like, and theidentification of the type of object involved in the accident may bebased, at least in part, on the image information, the infraredinformation, the radar information, and/or the like. For example, avehicle may comprise a forward-facing camera module that captured aninattentive pedestrian stepping out of a curb into the path of thevehicle. The image information captured by the camera module may beanalyzed, processed, have image recognition procedures performed, etc.that facilitate identification of the object, the type of object, etc.If it is determined that the vehicle collided with an object determinedto be a person, the apparatus may automatically send a medicalassistance request based, at least in part, on satisfaction of a medicalassistance request criteria that is satisfied if a person was involvedin the accident.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a provider of site remediation services. For example, asite remediation service provider may be a provider of tow assistance,site clean-up assistance, roadside service assistance, and/or the like.In this manner, a site remediation service may be any service that dealswith remediation of the scene of the accident, clearing of the vehiclesand/or debris from the roadway, repairing of the vehicle, and/or thelike.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a tow assistance provider. For example, a tow assistanceprovider may be able to provide physical assistance in moving animmobile vehicle, may direct traffic around the accident, may clear theroadway to allow traffic to flow around the accident, and/or the like.In at least one example embodiment, the site remedy request is a towassistance request. In such an example embodiment, the site remedyassistance criteria is a tow assistance criteria. The tow assistancecriteria may be satisfied in circumstances in which a vehicle isdetermined to be immobile, the operational state of the vehicle isunknown, the severity of the accident is sufficiently high so as to makeremediation by way of roadside service unlikely, and/or the like. Forexample, the sensor information received from the fuel sensor mayindicate a drop in fuel pressure, a reduction in fuel volume, etc.,which may indicate a fuel leak. In another example, the sensorinformation received from the battery sensor may indicate that a batterypack comprised by the vehicle was damaged, that the battery terminalshave been shorted, and/or the like. In another example, the sensorinformation received from an accelerometer sensor may indicate that theaccident was extremely severe and that the vehicle has sustained heavydamage and is likely immobile. In this manner, if the tow assistancecriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information, the apparatus may cause sending of a tow assistancerequest to a dispatcher, a tow assistance provider, and/or the like.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a clean-up assistance provider. For example, a clean-upassistance provider may be able to provide physical assistance in movingan immobile vehicle, may direct traffic around the accident, may clearthe roadway of debris, fuel, and/or oil leakage to allow traffic to flowaround the accident, and/or the like. In at least one exampleembodiment, the site remedy request is a clean-up assistance request. Insuch an example embodiment, the site remedy assistance criteria is aclean-up assistance criteria. The clean-up assistance criteria may besatisfied in circumstances in which there is a high probability ofdebris on the roadway, the severity of the accident is sufficiently highso as to make debris on the roadway likely, there is a fuel and/or oilleak, and/or the like. For example, the sensor information received fromthe oil sensor may indicate a drop in oil pressure, a reduction in oilvolume, etc., which may indicate an oil leak. In another example, thesensor information received from a glass break sensor may indicate thatone or more windows of the vehicle shattered during the accident. Inthis manner, if the clean-up assistance criteria is satisfied based, atleast in part, on the accident and the sensor information, the apparatusmay cause sending of a clean-up assistance request to a dispatcher, aclean-up assistance provider, and/or the like.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to notify and/or requestassistance from a roadside service assistance provider. For example, aroadside service assistance provider may be able to provide physicalassistance in moving an immobile vehicle, may repair an immobile vehiclesuch that the vehicle is again mobile and/or operational, and/or thelike. In at least one example embodiment, the site remedy request is aroadside service assistance request. In such an example embodiment, thesite remedy assistance criteria is a roadside service assistancecriteria. The roadside service assistance criteria may be satisfied incircumstances in which a vehicle is determined to be immobile, theoperational state of the vehicle is unknown, the severity of theaccident is sufficiently moderate so as to make remediation by way ofroadside service likely, and/or the like. For example, the sensorinformation received from the fuel sensor may indicate a drop in fuelpressure, a reduction in fuel volume, etc., which may indicate a fuelleak. In another example, the sensor information received from thebattery sensor may indicate that a battery pack comprised by the vehiclewas damaged, that the battery terminals have been shorted, and/or thelike. In another example, the sensor information received from anaccelerometer sensor may indicate that the accident was sufficientlymoderate so as to make repair by way of a roadside service assistanceprovider likely. In yet another example, the sensor information receivedfrom a tire pressure monitoring sensor may indicate that the vehicle hasone or more flat tires. As such, the roadside service assistancecriteria may be satisfied by a value, a range of values, etc. associatedwith a tire pressure monitoring sensor, an oil sensor, a fuel sensor, abattery sensor, an operational state of the vehicle, and/or the like. Inthis manner, if the roadside service assistance criteria is satisfiedbased, at least in part, on the accident and the sensor information, theapparatus may cause sending of a roadside service assistance request toa dispatcher, a roadside service assistance provider, and/or the like.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to avoid sending of aroadside service assistance request. For example, if a tow assistancerequest has already been sent to a tow assistance service provider, itmay be desirable to avoid also sending a roadside service assistancerequest to a roadside service assistance provider. In at least oneexample embodiment, an apparatus determines that a tow assistancerequest has been sent. In such an example embodiment, the apparatus maypreclude sending of any roadside service assistance request based, atleast in part, on the determination that the tow assistance request hasbeen sent. Alternatively, in at least one example embodiment, anapparatus determines that a tow assistance request fails to have beensent. In such an example embodiment, the sending of the roadside serviceassistance request may be based, at least in part, on the determinationthat the tow assistance request fails to have been sent.

In some circumstances, a location of an accident may influence thedesirability of sending a remedial request to one or more parties. Forexample, if an accident occurs on a highway, it may be especiallyimportant to quickly move the vehicle, clear the accident, clean thescene of the accident, and/or the like. In another example, if anaccident occurs on a highway, it may be assumed that the accident is ofa greater severity than if the accident occurred on a surface road, anarterial road, and/or the like. As such, one or more remedial requestcriteria may be based, at least in part, on a location of the vehicle,on a location of the accident, on a location of the vehicle at theoccurrence of the accident, and/or the like. In this manner, one or moresensor information thresholds, ranges, values, etc. indicated by aremedial request criteria may be based, at least in part, on thelocation of the vehicle. For example, if the accident occurred while thevehicle was traversing a railroad crossing, one or more thresholdsassociated with the sending of a tow assistance request, a policeassistance request, a fire assistance request, and/or the like may bereduced such that it is more likely that such assistance requests willbe sent to the respective assistance providers.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to request the assistance ofmore than one party in response to occurrence of the accident. Forexample, in response to a single accident, it may be desirable torequest remedial assistance from the police, the fire department, anemergency medical services provide, a tow assistance provider, and aclean-up assistance provider. In such an example, the remedial requestcriteria for each of the aforementioned providers may differ from eachother, may be independent, and/or the like. In this manner, theapparatus may determine that a police assistance criteria for a policeassistance request is satisfied and send a police assistance request toa police department, may determine that a tow assistance criteria for atow assistance request is satisfied and send a tow assistance request tothe tow assistance provider, but may determine that a roadside serviceassistance criteria for a roadside service assistance request fails tobe satisfied and preclude sending a roadside service assistance requestto any roadside service assistance provider. In at least one exampleembodiment, an apparatus determines that another remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information. In such an example embodiment, in circumstanceswhere the other remedial request criteria is satisfied, the apparatusmay send another remedial request based, at least in part, on thesatisfaction of the other remedial request criteria. In such an exampleembodiment, in circumstances where the other remedial request criteriafails to be satisfied, the apparatus may preclude sending of the otherremedial request based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfactionof the other remedial request criteria.

At block 302, the apparatus receives sensor information from at leastone sensor. The receipt, the sensor information, and the sensor may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 304, the apparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. The vehiclemay be similar as described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 306, the apparatus determines that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident.

At block 308, the apparatus sends an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied. The sending may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 310, the apparatus determines whether a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information. If the apparatus determines that the remedialrequest criteria is satisfied, flow proceeds to block 312. If theapparatus determines that the remedial request criteria fails to besatisfied, flow proceeds to block 314.

At block 312, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, sends a remedial request based, at least in part,on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria. The sending may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 314, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, precludes sending of the remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theremedial request criteria.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that the vehicle fails to be occupied according to at leastone example embodiment. In at least one example embodiment, there is aset of operations that corresponds with the activities of FIG. 4. Anapparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portionthereof, may utilize the set of operations. The apparatus may comprisemeans, including, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance ofsuch operations. In an example embodiment, an apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, forexample memory 12 of FIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to,working with a processor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause theapparatus to perform the set of operations of FIG. 4.

In some circumstances, a vehicle may be occupied by a human operator,passenger, driver, etc. In such circumstances, it may be assumed thatthe person occupying the vehicle may take responsibility for notifyingthe proper parties as to the occurrence of the accident, may analyze thesituation and decide to request emergency assistance, and/or the like.As such, in such circumstances, it may be desirable to precludeautomatically sending any informative notifications, remedial requests,and/or the like. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatusdetermines that the vehicle is occupied, and precludes sending of anyinformative notifications, remedial requests, and/or the like based, atleast in part, on the determination that the vehicle is occupied. Thedetermination that the vehicle is occupied may be based, at least inpart, on sensor information received from an occupancy sensor, a weightsensor, receipt of manual user interface inputs, and/or the like. Asdiscussed previously, in circumstances in which there fails to be ahuman operator of the vehicle, it may be desirable to automate one ormore processes in response to occurrence of an accident. For example, avehicle may be an autonomous vehicle that may operate without assistancefrom a human operator, driver, etc. In at least one example embodiment,an apparatus determines that the vehicle fails to be occupied. Forexample, the apparatus may receive additional sensor information from atleast one sensor, such as an occupancy sensor, a weight sensor, and/orthe like. In such an example, the determination that the vehicle failsto be occupied may be based, at least in part, on the additional sensorinformation. In this manner, the determination that the informativenotification criteria is satisfied, the sending of the informativenotification, the determination of whether the remedial request criteriais satisfied, the sending of the remedial request, and/or the like, mayeach be based, at least in part, on the determination that the vehiclefails to be occupied.

At block 402, the apparatus receives sensor information from at leastone sensor. The receipt, the sensor information, and the sensor may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 404, the apparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. Thedetermination, the vehicle, and the accident may be similar as describedregarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 406, the apparatus determines that the vehicle fails to beoccupied.

At block 408, the apparatus determines that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident. Thedetermination and the informative notification criteria may be similaras described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 410, the apparatus sends an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied. The sending and the informative notification may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 412, the apparatus determines whether a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information. If the apparatus determines that the remedialrequest criteria is satisfied, flow proceeds to block 414. If theapparatus determines that the remedial request criteria fails to besatisfied, flow proceeds to block 416. The determination and theremedial request criteria may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 414, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, sends a remedial request based, at least in part,on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria. The sending andthe remedial request may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

At block 416, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, precludes sending of the remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theremedial request criteria. The preclusion of sending the remedialrequest may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withreceiving other sensor information from at least one sensor according toat least one example embodiment. In at least one example embodiment,there is a set of operations that corresponds with the activities ofFIG. 5. An apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, ora portion thereof, may utilize the set of operations. The apparatus maycomprise means, including, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, forperformance of such operations. In an example embodiment, an apparatus,for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, is transformed by havingmemory, for example memory 12 of FIG. 1, comprising computer codeconfigured to, working with a processor, for example processor 11 ofFIG. 1, cause the apparatus to perform the set of operations of FIG. 5.

In some circumstances, the sensor information utilized to determine thatthe vehicle was involved in an accident may be insufficient to determinewhether an informative notification criteria or a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied. For example, the sensor information thatindicates that the accident occurred may merely indicate that there wasa collision, but may fail to indicate a severity of the collision, anoperational state of the vehicle, whether a fire risk is present, and/orthe like. As such, it may be desirable to utilize additional sensorinformation received prior to and/or subsequent to the occurrence of theaccident. In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus receivesother sensor information from at least one sensor in response to thedetermination that the vehicle was involved in an accident. In such anexample embodiment, the satisfaction of the informative notificationcriteria may be based, at least in part, on the other sensorinformation. Similarly, in such an example embodiment, the satisfactionof the remedial request criteria may be based, at least in part, on theother sensor information. The other sensor information may be sensorinformation received during a predetermined duration prior to theoccurrence of the accident, a predetermined duration subsequent to theoccurrence of the accident, and/or the like.

At block 502, the apparatus receives sensor information from at leastone sensor. The receipt, the sensor information, and the sensor may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 504, the apparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. Thedetermination, the vehicle, and the accident may be similar as describedherein.

At block 506, the apparatus receives other sensor information from atleast one sensor based, at least in part, on the determination that thevehicle was involved in an accident. The receipt, the other sensorinformation, and the sensor may be similar as described herein.

At block 508, the apparatus determines that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and theother sensor information. The determination and the informativenotification criteria may be similar as described herein.

At block 510, the apparatus sends an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied. The sending and the informative notification may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 512, the apparatus determines whether a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident, thesensor information, and the other sensor information. If the apparatusdetermines that the remedial request criteria is satisfied, flowproceeds to block 512. If the apparatus determines that the remedialrequest criteria fails to be satisfied, flow proceeds to block 514. Thedetermination and the remedial request criteria may be similar asdescribed regarding FIG. 3.

At block 514, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, sends a remedial request based, at least in part,on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria. The sending andthe remedial request may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

At block 516, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, precludes sending of the remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theremedial request criteria. The preclusion of sending the remedialrequest may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that the vehicle is located at a dangerous locationaccording to at least one example embodiment. In at least one exampleembodiment, there is a set of operations that corresponds with theactivities of FIG. 6. An apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, may utilize the set of operations. Theapparatus may comprise means, including, for example processor 11 ofFIG. 1, for performance of such operations. In an example embodiment, anapparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, is transformedby having memory, for example memory 12 of FIG. 1, comprising computercode configured to, working with a processor, for example processor 11of FIG. 1, cause the apparatus to perform the set of operations of FIG.6.

In some circumstances, a vehicle may unnecessarily impede the flow oftraffic, may be precariously located, and/or otherwise be positioned ina dangerous location subsequent to the occurrence of the accident. Insuch circumstances, if the operational state of the vehicle subsequentto the occurrence of the accident is such that the vehicle is mobile, itmay be desirable to automatically relocate the vehicle from thedangerous location to a different location that fails to be a dangerouslocation. For example, while the vehicle is waiting for assistance toarrive in response to the sending of a remedial request, it may bedesirable to reduce the impact that the vehicle has on the flow oftraffic, to reduce the risk of a subsequent accident due to the vehiclebeing in a dangerous location, and/or the like. A dangerous location maybe a location in the middle of a highway, on top of a railroad track, ona steep slope, adjacent to a cliff, in a storm water ravine, and/or thelike. For example, it may be desirable to move the vehicle from aprimary lane of a highway to a shoulder of the highway. In at least oneexample embodiment, an apparatus determines a location of the vehicle.In such an example embodiment, the apparatus may determine that thevehicle is located at a dangerous location based, at least in part, onthe location of the vehicle. For example, the apparatus may receive mapinformation and determine that the vehicle is location at a dangerouslocation is based, at least in part, on the location of the vehicle andthe map information. The apparatus may then determine a navigationalpath to another location that fails to be a dangerous location, andcause the vehicle to move along the navigational path to the otherlocation.

At block 602, the apparatus receives sensor information from at leastone sensor. The receipt, the sensor information, and the sensor may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 604, the apparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. Thedetermination, the vehicle, and the accident may be similar as describedregarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 606, the apparatus determines that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident. Thedetermination and the informative notification criteria may be similaras described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 608, the apparatus sends an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied. The sending and the informative notification may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 610, the apparatus determines whether a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information. If the apparatus determines that the remedialrequest criteria is satisfied, flow proceeds to block 612. If theapparatus determines that the remedial request criteria fails to besatisfied, flow proceeds to block 614. The determination and theremedial request criteria may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 612, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, sends a remedial request based, at least in part,on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria. The sending andthe remedial request may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

At block 614, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, precludes sending of the remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theremedial request criteria. The preclusion of sending the remedialrequest may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 616, the apparatus determines a location of the vehicle. Thelocation of the vehicle may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 618, the apparatus determines that the vehicle is located at adangerous location based, at least in part, on the location of thevehicle.

At block 620, the apparatus determines a navigational path to anotherlocation that fails to be a dangerous location.

At block 622, the apparatus causes the vehicle to move along thenavigational path to the other location. The causation of the vehicle tomove along the navigational path to the other location may be similar asdescribed regarding FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated with sendingvehicle information to another vehicle according to at least one exampleembodiment. In at least one example embodiment, there is a set ofoperations that corresponds with the activities of FIG. 7. An apparatus,for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, or a portion thereof, mayutilize the set of operations. The apparatus may comprise means,including, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, for performance of suchoperations. In an example embodiment, an apparatus, for exampleelectronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, is transformed by having memory, forexample memory 12 of FIG. 1, comprising computer code configured to,working with a processor, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, cause theapparatus to perform the set of operations of FIG. 7.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to share information withanother vehicle, such as another vehicle involved in the accident, withthe owner of the other vehicle involved in the accident, and/or thelike. For example, it may be desirable to share vehicle information withthe other vehicle, such as vehicle owner information, vehicle insuranceinformation, sensor information, and/or the like, in response to beinginvolved in an accident with the other vehicle. For example, anapparatus may identify another vehicle that was involved in theaccident, identify another vehicle that is proximate to the vehicle,and/or the like. In such an example, the apparatus may identify theother vehicle by way of communicating with other vehicles proximate tothe vehicle, similar as described regarding FIG. 2. For example, two ormore vehicles may broadcast that they were involved in an accident at aparticular time, at a particular location, having a particular severity,and/or the like, and determine that two or more of the vehicles wereinvolved in a single accident, in the same accident, and/or the like.

In such circumstances, it may be desirable to share sensor informationwith the other vehicles in order to ascertain whether any humans wereinvolved in the accident. For example, whether the other vehicle wasoccupied, whether the other vehicle struck a person, and/or the like. Inthis manner, assistance may be requested from the proper emergencyservice providers even if the vehicle failed to capture sensorinformation that the other vehicles captured. In at least one exampleembodiment, an apparatus send vehicle information to the other vehiclebased, at least in part, on the identification of the other vehicle. Asdiscussed previously, the vehicle information may be vehicle insuranceinformation, vehicle registration information, sensor information,and/or the like. For example, the apparatus may send at least a portionof the sensor information to the other vehicle based, at least in part,on the identification of the other vehicle. The portion of the sensorinformation may be sensor information received during a predeterminedduration prior to the occurrence of the accident, a predeterminedduration subsequent to the occurrence of the accident, and/or the like.

At block 702, the apparatus receives sensor information from at leastone sensor. The receipt, the sensor information, and the sensor may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 704, the apparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. Thedetermination, the vehicle, and the accident may be similar as describedregarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 706, the apparatus determines that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident. Thedetermination and the informative notification criteria may be similaras described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 708, the apparatus sends an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied. The sending and the informative notification may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 710, the apparatus determines whether a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information. If the apparatus determines that the remedialrequest criteria is satisfied, flow proceeds to block 612. If theapparatus determines that the remedial request criteria fails to besatisfied, flow proceeds to block 614. The determination and theremedial request criteria may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 712, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, sends a remedial request based, at least in part,on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria. The sending andthe remedial request may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

At block 714, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, precludes sending of the remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theremedial request criteria. The preclusion of sending the remedialrequest may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 716, the apparatus identifies another vehicle that was involvedin the accident. The identification of the other vehicle may be similaras described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 718, the apparatus sends vehicle information to the othervehicle based, at least in part, on the identification of the othervehicle that was involved in the accident. The sending may be similar asdescribed regarding FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating activities associated withdetermining that an emergency response vehicle has arrived according toat least one example embodiment. In at least one example embodiment,there is a set of operations that corresponds with the activities ofFIG. 8. An apparatus, for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, ora portion thereof, may utilize the set of operations. The apparatus maycomprise means, including, for example processor 11 of FIG. 1, forperformance of such operations. In an example embodiment, an apparatus,for example electronic apparatus 10 of FIG. 1, is transformed by havingmemory, for example memory 12 of FIG. 1, comprising computer codeconfigured to, working with a processor, for example processor 11 ofFIG. 1, cause the apparatus to perform the set of operations of FIG. 8.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable to share information with oneor more emergency service providers, emergency responders, emergencyresponse vehicles, and/or the like. For example, it may be desirable toshare vehicle information with the emergency response vehicle, such asvehicle owner information, vehicle insurance information, sensorinformation, and/or the like. For example, an apparatus may identifyanother vehicle, and determine that the other vehicle is an emergencyresponse vehicle. In such an example, the apparatus may identify theother vehicle and/or determine that the other vehicle is an emergencyresponse vehicle by way of communicating with other vehicles proximateto the vehicle, similar as described regarding FIG. 2. For example, theemergency response vehicle may communicate its presence to the vehicleby way of a broadcasted communication, a direct communication, acommunication over a proximity-based communication channel, and/or thelike. In such an example, the apparatus may send vehicle information,such as vehicle owner information, vehicle insurance information, sensorinformation, and/or the like, to the emergency response vehicle based,at least in part, on the determination that the other vehicle is theemergency response vehicle. In this manner, the apparatus may determinethat an emergency response vehicle has arrived to the scene of theaccident, and may send vehicle information to the emergency responsevehicle based, at least in part, on the arrival of the emergencyresponse vehicle.

In such circumstances, the vehicle information may be utilized byemergency response providers to facilitate performance of one or moreduties tasked to the emergency response providers. For example, thevehicle information may comprise sensor information, and a policeofficer may review the sensor information to facilitate a determinationof fault in the occurrence of the accident. Such a determination offault may be utilized to issue traffic citations to an owner of one ormore vehicles, may be communicated to one or more insurance providers inorder to facilitate a determination of liability, and/or the like. Forexample, a ticket may be electronically issued to an owner of one of thevehicles involves in the accident, a determination of fault may becommunicated to an insurance provider that covers another vehicle,and/or the like.

At block 802, the apparatus receives sensor information from at leastone sensor. The receipt, the sensor information, and the sensor may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 804, the apparatus determines that a vehicle was involved in anaccident based, at least in part, on the sensor information. Thedetermination, the vehicle, and the accident may be similar as describedregarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 806, the apparatus determines that an informative notificationcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident. Thedetermination and the informative notification criteria may be similaras described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 808, the apparatus sends an informative notification inresponse to the determination that the informative notification criteriais satisfied. The sending and the informative notification may besimilar as described regarding FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

At block 810, the apparatus determines whether a remedial requestcriteria is satisfied based, at least in part, on the accident and thesensor information. If the apparatus determines that the remedialrequest criteria is satisfied, flow proceeds to block 612. If theapparatus determines that the remedial request criteria fails to besatisfied, flow proceeds to block 614. The determination and theremedial request criteria may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 812, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria is satisfied, sends a remedial request based, at least in part,on the satisfaction of the remedial request criteria. The sending andthe remedial request may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2 andFIG. 3.

At block 814, the apparatus, in circumstances where the remedial requestcriteria fails to be satisfied, precludes sending of the remedialrequest based, at least in part, on the failure of satisfaction of theremedial request criteria. The preclusion of sending the remedialrequest may be similar as described regarding FIG. 3.

At block 816, the apparatus determines that an emergency responsevehicle has arrived. The determination that the emergency responsevehicle has arrived may be similar as described regarding FIG. 2.

At block 818, the apparatus sends vehicle information to the emergencyresponse vehicle based, at least in part, on the arrival of theemergency response vehicle. The sending and the vehicle information maybe similar as described herein.

One or more example embodiments may be implemented in software,hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware, andapplication logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware mayreside on the apparatus, a separate device, or a plurality of separatedevices. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/orhardware may reside on the apparatus, part of the software, applicationlogic and/or hardware may reside on a separate device, and part of thesoftware, application logic and/or hardware may reside on a plurality ofseparate devices. In an example embodiment, the application logic,software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of variouscomputer-readable media.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed ina different order and/or concurrently with each other. For example,blocks 306 and 308 of FIG. 3 may be performed after blocks 310, 312, and314 of FIG. 3. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of theabove-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Forexample, block 306 of FIG. 3 may be optional and/or combined with block304 of FIG. 3.

Although various aspects of the present subject matter are set out inthe independent claims, other aspects of the present subject mattercomprise other combinations of features from the described exampleembodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of theindependent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set outin the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exampleembodiments, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limitingsense. Rather, there are variations and modifications which may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for accident detection and analysis inan autonomous vehicle, the method comprising: receiving sensorinformation collected by at least one sensor of the autonomous vehicle;determining, using an autonomous vehicle processor, an occurrence of anaccident including the autonomous vehicle based on the sensorinformation; determining, using the autonomous vehicle processor, anaccident severity of the accident including the autonomous vehicle andbased on the sensor information; comparing, using the autonomous vehicleprocessor, the accident severity to an informative notificationcriterion; sending a first notification from the autonomous vehicle to afirst entity registered with the autonomous vehicle in response to theaccident severity exceeding the informative notification criterion;determining, using the autonomous vehicle processor, an occupancy of theautonomous vehicle based on additional sensor information; and sending asecond notification from the autonomous vehicle to a second entity inresponse to the determined occupancy of the autonomous vehicleindicating that the autonomous vehicle fails to be occupied.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes an occupancysensor and a speed sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a vibration sensor,an impact sensor, an audio sensor, a fuel sensor, an oil sensor, a tirepressure monitoring sensor, a smoke sensor, an emissions sensor, or anairbag sensor.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingother vehicle sensor data collected at another vehicle, wherein theoccurrence of the accident is determined based on the other vehiclesensor data.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first entity is anowner of the autonomous vehicle.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst entity is a fleet manager associated with the autonomous vehicle.6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second entity is an insuranceprovider entity for the autonomous vehicle, an accident clean-up entity,or a roadside assistance entity.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theat least one sensor includes an occupancy sensor or a weight sensorconfigured to generate sensor data indicative of whether the autonomousvehicle is occupied.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the autonomousvehicle is operable without a human operator.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the accident severity is based on an accident severity category.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the accident severity is based on aforce of impact, a number of airbags deployed, or a quantity oftriggered impact sensors.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one sensor is a first sensor and the sensor information is firstsensor information, the method further comprising: receiving secondsensor information from a second sensor of the autonomous vehicle; andnavigating a path autonomously based on the second sensor information.12. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; at least onememory including computer program code, the memory and the computerprogram code configured to, working with the processor, cause theapparatus to: receive sensor data collected by at least one sensor;determine that an autonomous vehicle was involved in an accident based,at least in part, on the sensor data; determine, at the autonomousvehicle, an accident severity of the accident involving the autonomousvehicle based on the sensor data; compare, at the autonomous vehicle,the accident severity to a first accident severity threshold and asecond accident severity threshold; determine an occupancy of theautonomous vehicle indicative of whether a human operator was presentbased on sensor data from an occupancy sensor; send a first notificationfrom the autonomous vehicle to a first entity registered with theautonomous vehicle in response to the accident severity determined atthe autonomous vehicle exceeding the first accident severity threshold;and send a second notification from the autonomous vehicle to a secondentity in response to the accident severity in response to the accidentseverity determined at the autonomous vehicle exceeding the secondaccident severity threshold and in response to the determined occupancyindicating that the autonomous vehicle fails to be occupied.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the second entity is an insuranceprovider entity for the autonomous vehicle, an accident clean-up entity,or a roadside assistance entity.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising a speed sensor, an accelerometer sensor, a vibration sensor,an impact sensor, an audio sensor, a fuel sensor, an oil sensor, a tirepressure monitoring sensor, a smoke sensor, an emissions sensor, anairbag sensor, or a combination thereof as the at least one sensor. 15.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is a firstsensor and the sensor data is first sensor data, the at least one memoryincluding computer program code, the memory and the computer programcode configured to, working with the processor, cause the apparatus to:receive second sensor information from a second sensor of the autonomousvehicle; and navigate a path autonomously based on the second sensorinformation.
 16. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; atleast one memory including computer program code, the memory and thecomputer program code configured to, working with the processor, causethe apparatus to: receive sensor data collected by at least one sensor;determine that an autonomous vehicle was involved in an accident based,at least in part, on the sensor data; determine, at the autonomousvehicle, an accident severity of the accident involving the autonomousvehicle based on the sensor data; compare, at the autonomous vehicle,the accident severity to a first accident severity threshold and asecond accident severity threshold; send a first notification from theautonomous vehicle to a first entity registered with the autonomousvehicle in response to the accident severity determined at theautonomous vehicle exceeding the first accident severity threshold; andsend a second notification from the autonomous vehicle to a secondentity in response to the accident severity in response to the accidentseverity determined at the autonomous vehicle exceeding the secondaccident severity threshold, determine that an emergency responsevehicle associated with the second entity has arrived; and send vehicleinformation to the emergency response vehicle based at least in part, onarrival of the emergency response vehicle.
 17. The apparatus of claim16, wherein the vehicle information includes vehicle owner information,vehicle insurance information, or the sensor data for the autonomousvehicle.